



:^/j m 



/V'Wfef JX^o^t of 

St . f\u.gu.stinc> 
and its environs . 
"Bv Jo\in FWVt^ey. 




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CIass_£A!3___ 
Book ,9>2.Vvl5 



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ST. AUGUSTINE 



-AND- 



I TS I; If! 



Its advantages t "as a winter residence 

for Invalids and Northern 

Tonrists. 



ROSC S 9 dfeO- ? cfcO. 



Peepa .i> and Compiled by 

JOHN F. WHITNEY, 

" ' '< 

TO WHOM ALL COMMUNICATIONS CAN BE ADDRESSED, 

ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA. 

• 1873— SECOND EDITION. 




Prospectus of the St. Augustine 
Orange Groye Association. 

There seems to be on the part of 
many of our Northern visitors a de- 
sire to become owners o ? orango 
groves and winter residences in Flor- 
ida, provided the same can* be ob- 
tained at reasonable rates. 

Immediately after the war many 
attempts were made by Northern 
people to establish orange groves on 
the East bank of the St. Johns river. 
These attempts in most all cases fail- 
ed, and as some have expressed it, 
that the bank of the river from Pal- 
atka to its mouth is lined with the 
wrecks of orange groves. But in the 
same section we find that those of 
the native population, who were pos- 
sessed of only a small capital and 
some energy have succeeded. 

All of these unsuccessful attempts 
consisted of setting out sour stumps 
in sandy land, budding them and ne- 
glecting them during the hot dry 
summer months. Also, in the fact 
that the frost is almost certain to de- 
stroy the young and unripened wood 
of the bud during the^ first year. — 
Again. These attempts were made 
on a scale too large for success, with 
the amount of capital employed. 

We make the following extract 
from a recent paper. 

"Some five or six years ago, there 
"was quite a mania for planting or- 
"ange orchards, more especially upon 

he St. John's Kiver ; handreds and 

msands of trees were transplant- 

and the enthusiasts flattered 

selves, that in a few years they 



"would become rich from the golden 
"fruit. But most of them made a se- 
"rious mistake, they caused trees to 
"be procured from dense swamps 
"with but very little root, and cut 
"the tops off, three feet from the 
"ground, then transported, frequent- 
ly exposed to the sun for days be- 
"fore reaching their destination, and 
"finally stuck into unmanured, un- 
cultivated soil. Most of the trees 
"died within a few months, a few 
"lingered for a year or so, and now 
"and then one stunted and dwarfed 
"has been kept alive. There were a 
"few persons however, who went to 
"work intelligently, and these have 
"begun, this season to reap the fruit 
"of their labors. Oranges, to succeed 
"must have the same care, and atten- 
tion as other fruits. 

Another writer says : 

"As to the choice between the sour 
"stock and the seedling. The sweet 
"seedling is the most hardy : will 
"stand a greater degree of cold. It 
"therefore happens, that the cold is 
"sufficient to kill the sour stock, and 
"not seriously injure the sweet seed- 
lings. In this event of course the 
"sweet bud on the sour stock must 
"die and the grower has to wait until 
"the sour stock sprouts from the root 
"and grow large enough to admit of 
"being rebudded ; whereas when the 
"seedling is killed the new sprouts 
"from the roots will be sweet, and 
"will bear in three years. Again. — 
"I am convinced the seedling makes* 
"the most durable tree, and the most 
"luscious fruit. It is true fruit ms; . 
"be had from the budded tree in from 





J 



Office, No. 135 Broadway. 

Cash Capital, . . . $2,500,000 00 
Assets, 1st July, 1872, . Jf, 398,564 51 
Liabilities, . . . 17 4-, 008 59 

ABSTRACT - 

OF THE 

THIRTY-EIGHTH SEMI-ANNUAL STATEMENT, 

Showing the Assets of the Company on the first day of July, 1872. 

Assets. 

Cash, in Bank, $408,912 39 

Bonds and Mortgages, being first lien on Beal Estate, 

worth $4,729,500, 1,838,799 57 

Loans on Stocks, payable on demand (market value of 

Securities, $79,013), 54,800 00 

XTnited States Stocks (market value), .... 1,713,82500 

State Bonds, " " . . • .. . 31,400 00 

Interest due on 1st July, 1872, 53,333 82 

Balance in hand of Agents, . . . . . 122,601 92 

Bills Beceivable, . 20,096 73 

Salvages, and other Miscellaneous Items, .... 139,914 49 
Premiums due and uncollected on Policies issued at this O-^ice, 9,880 59 

Total, $4,393,564 5i 

Clias. J. Martin, President. 

J. H. Washburn, Secretary. 

Agencies at all important points in the United States. 



MOILERS 



Ww&f&Mtii JW ®PW#.a?lnil, 





iver 





WAS AWARDED A SILVER MEDAL at the Paris 
International Exhibition of 186 1 ?, head- 
ing Twenty-Seven competitors. 

Is prepared from selected Livers, and bottled at Lof- 
oten Islands, Norway. 

Was awarded a Gold Medal at Bergen Inter- 
national Exhibition, 1865; Is the purest, and 
for limpidity, clearness, and delicacy of taste and 
smell, is superior to any; Is highly recommend- 
ed by the Medical Societies of Norway and Eng- 
land; Is more readily assimilated, and more 
easily digested, than any other Cod Liver Oil; 
Was awarded the First Prize and the only Medal 
at London International Exhibition, 1862; Is 
recommended by high medical authorities in 
Europe and America; Was awarded First Prize, 
the only one awarded at Stockholm Great Exhi- 
bition, 1868. 

W. H. Schieffelin & Co., N. Y., 

Sole Agents for United States and Canada. 



Liebig's JSxtractu?n Carnis. 

LIEBIG'S 





MONTEVIDEO 

Manufactured by 



3SJANTJFACTORY IN SOUTH AMERICA: MONTEVIDEO, URTJiUAY. 




The Extract of Beef, manufactured by Messrs. Lucas Herkera & Co. > 
having been examined by Dr. Augustus Voelcker, F.E.S., Consulting Chem- 
ist to the Koyal Agricultural Society of England, V. Kletzinsky, Professor of 
Chemistry and Pathology of the Imperial House of Vienna, Dr. E. Reichardt, 
Professor of the University of Jena, and other celebrated Chemists in Europe, 
has been recognized as an article of superior quality ; and in regard to its 
purity and flavor is equal to anv Extract offered to the trade, according to 
th e improved process of Baron von Liebig. 

The improved machinery employed by Messrs. Lucas Heeeera & Co. , the 
judicious and economical administration of their establishment, together 
with the facilities afforded by its unequaled position (only twenty-four miles 
from Montevideo), and the vast pastures and extensive herds of cattle always 
ready for the exclusive use of the factory, enable the owners of this important 
establishment to offer their Extract at extremely low prices, while at the same 
time a wholesome and superior article is guaranteed. 

This Extract — containing as it does in a concentrated form, the juices of 
the meat — combines all the elements of a very nutritious food. For every 
pound of Extract thirty-four pounds of good butcher's beef are required ex- 
clusive of bones and fat. 

This Extract of Beef is free from fat and gelatine, and is indispensable to 
every household ; it is specially recommended for Military and Naval purpo- 
ses, for Hospitals and Workhouses, and has been found a very useful article 
of food during sea voyages. 

Independently of an economy of fifty per cent. , as compared with butcher's 
meat, this Extract imparts to soups, ragouts, and vegetables of every kind, 
the strength and savor of the best broths, rendering every dish richer and 
more palatable. 

For Invalids, Convalescents, and children of weak constitutions, it will be 
found an inestimable article. 

Excellent soup can be made by dissolving a tea-spoonful of this Extract 
in a cupfull of hot water, adding sufficient salt, and a little butter if required. 

This Extract is sent to England in bulk, and is carefully put into jars of re- 
quired sizes, by means of improved apparatus. 

W. H. Schieffelin & Co., 170 & 172 William Street, N. Y. 

SOLE AGENTS FOE THE UNITED STATES. 






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AND DEALERS IN 



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w m ¥uvni*h in 



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AND MANUFACTURERS OF 



FINE S 





TS 



160 BROADWAY, 



NEW YORK. 



PHUR SPRINGS 







SULPHUR SPRINGS 




OCEAN - 









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VISIT ST. AUGUSTINE. 

Strangers who come to Florida, and fail to see St. Augustine, are lik^ 
those who go to Europe, and return without visiting Paris or London ; they 
thereby neglect the most important point of attraction, of the trip ; and on 
their return home are ridiculed for their negligence. " Been to Florida, 
and not seen the old and Ancient City of St. Augustine (as we heard a ladj 
exclaim to a friend who had just returned to the North, from a winter trip), 
why, you have lost the most attractive, as well as the most delightful spot on 
the whole Southern coast !" This is the experience of all who come to St. 
Augustine ; and we believe we are doing Tourists a favor when we advise 
them, by all means, not to turn back, until they have spent a week, or more, 
here in our Ancient City. There are many attractions here, that will well 
repay the time, and trifling attendant expense, which the journey from Jack- 
sonville creates. The view of the old Spanish Fort or Castle, which is in 
excellent state of preservation, is well worthy the examination of those 
who have an interest in the early settlement of this continent. The follow- 
ing brief extract, from "A Tourist," gives a good idea of this famous piece 
of Naval fortification of the 18th century : 

"The fort is, of course, the chief object of interest in St. Augustine, es- 
pecially by moonlight, and there is not a more picturesque place anywhere. 
Like Melrose, it may be said, "Who would see Fort Marion right, should 
view it by the fair moonlight." Few spots are more mysteriously romantic. 
The. fort was built to command both land and sea, with round towers at each 
corner ; cannon mounted on the ramparts. It is built entirely of the Coquina 
stone — a geological marvel in itself. It is formed of a concrete of small 
shells, which centuries have massed together, forming a hard rock ; but in 
which each shell is perfectly distinct and visible, and sometimes complete as 
though they had been tightly glued together but yesterday. The whole 
structure , upon close examination, resembles one of those toy sliell castles 
we purchase for Children at seaports. Geologists and conchologists can. 
probably determine how many centuries it has taken to amalgamate these 
myrids of tiny shells into one solid mass of granite. It is quarried from 
Anastasia Island. 

" Within the fort are shown chambers without light or air, which are said 
to have been used by the Spanish Inquisition, from the fact of a skeleton 
in chains being very recently found in one of them. But unless one of tha 
unfortunate Huguenots, who escaped the massacre of Menendez, only to 
meet a more agonizing death, there is no other record of religious intolerance. 



The chambers have the usual appearance of the vaulted alcoves, formed in- 
side fortifications of this period. One of these chambers has evidently been 
the chapel, from the altar-stone still in good preservation ; and the holy 
water vessel used for culiiiary purposes at the present time. Over the gate- 
way are the arms of Spain, handsomely carved in stone, and quite perfect, 
and the inscription is actually worthy of the proverbial bombast of the- 
Spaniard : 'Don Fernando being King of Spain, and the -Field Marshal, Don 
Alonzo Fernando Herida being Governor and Captain. General of this place, 
S.t. Augustine, of Florida, and its provinces, this fort was founded in the 
year 1756. The works were directed by the Captain engineer, Don Pedro 
de Brazos y Gfareny.' Hound the fort is a moat, which can easily be filled 
from the sea, a drawbridge and portcullis. The moat is surrounded by a 
broad diagonal wail, forming a delightful promenade, always swept by a 
pleasant breeze. j 

"The Atlantic Ocean rolls into a small bay formed by the mouth of the 
Hiver Sebastian and Anastasia Island, whose sloping sands are as white as 
§now, and in some places permit a treacherous sinking of the feet of the unwary 
explorist into quicksands. Beautiful shells of all descriptions are to be 
gathered on this beach, and the sail across the bay is delightful. Por- 
poises and very good turtles luxuriate in it, and sometimes a shark. Plenty 
of good fish are caught in the bay, besides abundance of oysters and crabs. 
The fort appears to have changed names, as often as owners, having been 
christened and re-christened San Juan, Saint Mark, and Marion, who it is 
to be supposed was a sinner, from dropping the title of Saint. There is 
more Of mystery and romance attached to it than any other place in America 
— probably on account of its Spanish occupation. 

"The frowning battlement and picturesque Moorish towers, from whence 
we expect to see emerge the stately, dark-eyed Spaniard of Rembrantish 
line ; the little chapel where the brown-cowled Franciscan told his breviary, 
regardless of the shrieks of his heretical victims in the adjacent vaults ; the 
and breeze sighing over the pine barrens ; might again hear the rattle of 
the chains and grinding of instruments of torture, said to have been found, 
in this primitive Venetian prison. The roaring of the sea might recall the 
fierce bombardment from Anastasia Island, striking horror into the hearts 
of the ancient Augustinians huddled together within the fortress wails. Visi- 
tors linger in wonderment over the aperture so narrow, so high up in the 
stone vault, from which the romantic Indian chief Coacouchee made his dar- 
ing escape. His history is full of poetry, marvel and pathos. Scarcely had 
St. Augustine been ceded to the United States in 1821, when difficulties arose 
with the tribes of Indian warriors called Seminoles. The Spaniards and the 
English had lived on amicable terms with these tribes, and allowed them to 
retain peaceable possession of the best hummuck lands for their villages. " 



There are many other objects in St. Augustine, that will interest the 
stranger, which we have not space now to refer to, but to give our Northern, 
riends some idea of what can be found here ; we quote, from the same 
author, the following : 

" There is little doubt that St. Augustine will eventually become as fash- 
ionable a resort as West Point, Newport or Saratoga, and more vitally im- 
portant than any of the above-named places, on account of its life-giving 
properties to all persons afflicted with pulmonary disease, and all maladies 
which require- a mild and equitable climate. Pleasant summer resorts are 
rarely suitable for winter residences, and many families and individuals find 
it too inconvenient and expensive to change their abode twice a year. The 
moving of all one's belongings, and the packing up of household goods, is 
often a consideration that weighs to keep many a poor invalid in a climate 
which every day saps the fountain of his life, which in a genial atmosphere 
might flow on softly for a number of years. 

"It is no uncommon case for consumptives to live ten or fifteen years, 
with but one lung, in a climate such as that of St. Augustine, where no bitter east- 
ern wind ever irritates the remaining lung ; where no biting frost ever con- 
gests the respiratory organs, the year round ; where the summer knows no 
enervating heat, nor the winter any intense cold, but glide imperceptibly 
into each other, wafted in and out by a clear sea breeze, not keen enough 
to chill the most sensitive, but cool enough to be a grateful fan. 

" Fully realizing these great advantages, numerous wealthy families from 
the North have established themselves permanently at St. Augustine, where 
they live the year round, in great comfort and considerable elegance, which 
the climate permits ; going on pleasure trips, only for amusement and re- 
laxation, or change. Their houses are unsurpassed for luxury and conven- 
ience, by anything in the States. Commanding piazzas, interlaced with 
gorgeous flowery creepers and vines ; hanging baskets of drooping moss 
and lichens ; shady walks beneath the orange and magnolia ; fine airy rooms, 
catching the balmy gale of the citron from one side or the other. There is 
always one side of the house where in the height of summer it is quite cool. 
There is the advantage of excellent fishing, and for gentlemen who are given 
to sporting, there is an abundance of game — wild turkey, wild duck, deer, 
bear, and small game ; oysters in plenty, crabs, mullet, sheepshead, and 
others in great variety. It is almost needless to say, that vegetables can be 
grown in the greatest profusion and variety, and through the whole season — 
peas in January, and tomatoes in March. 

V Many Northern families not only grow all their own fruits and vegetables, 
but have such an exceeding quantity, that they easily supply the tables of 
various hotels and boarding-houses in St. Augustine, which are usually full 
of visitors in the winter months." 



ST. AUGUSTINE IH 181?. 

An English gentleman who visited St. Augustine in 1817, gives his im- 
pression of the. place as follows : " Emerging from the solitudes and shades 
of the pine forests, we espied the distant yet distinct lights of the watch 
towers of the fortress of St.; Augustine, delightful beacons to my weary pil- 
grimage. The clock was striking ten as I reached the f qpt of the drawbridge ; 
the sentinels were passing the ale)~to, as I demanded entrance ; having an- 
swered the preliminary questions, the drawbridge was slowly lowered. The 
officer of the guard, having received my name and wishes, sent a communi- 
cation to the governor, who issued orders for my immediate admission. On 
opening the gate, the guard was ready to receive me ; and a file £>i men, 
with their officer, escorted me to his Excellency, who expressed his satisfac- 
tion at my visit to Florida. I soon retired to the luxury of repose, and the 
following morning was greeted as an old acquaintance by the members of 
this little community. 

"I had arrived at a season of genera! relaxation, on the eve of the carni- 
val, which is celebrated with much gaiety in all Catholic countries. Masks, 
dominoes, harlequins, jranchinelloes, and a great variety of grotesque dis- 
guises, on horseback,, in cars, gigs, and on foot, paraded the streets with 
guitars, violins, and other instruments ; and in the evenings, the houses 
were open to receive masks, and balls were given in every direction. I was 
told that in their better -days, when their pay was regularly remitted from 
Havana, these amusements were admirably conducted, and the rich dresses 
exhibited on these occasions, were not eclipsed by their more fashionable 
friends in Cuba; but poverty had lessened their sprit for enjoyment, as 
well as the means of procuring it ; enough, however, remained to amuse an 
idle spectator, and I entered with alacrity into their diversions, 

"About thirty of the hunting warriors of the Seminoles, with their 
equaws, had arrived, for the purpose of selling the produce of the chase, 
consisting of bear, deer, tiger and other skins, bears' grease, and other 
trifling articles. This savage race, once the lords of the ascendant, are the 
most formidable border enemies of the United States. This party had 
arrived, after a range of six months, for the purpose of sale and barter. 
After trafficking for their commodities, they were seen at various parts of 
the town, assembled in small groups, seated upon their haunches, like mon- 
keys, passing round their bottles of aque denie (the rum of Cuba), their re- 
peated draughts upon which soon exhausted their contents ; they then slept 
off the effects of intoxication, under the walls, exposed to the influence of 
the sun. Their appearance was extremely wretched ; their skins of a dark, 
dirty, chocolate color, with long, straight, black hair, over which they had 






spread a quantity of bears' grease. In their ears, and the cartilages of the 
nose, were inserted rings of silver and brass, with pendants of various shapes ; 

their features prominent and harsh, and their eyes had a wild and ferocious 

■ .- - 

expression. 

•"A torn blanket, or an ill-fashioned dirty linen jacket, is the general 
costume of these Indians ; a triangular piece of cloth passes around the 
loins ; the women vary in their apparel by merely wearing short - petticoats 
the original colors of which were not distinguishable from the various incrus- 
tations of dirt. Some of the young squaws were tolerably agreeable, and if 
well washed and dressed would not have been uninteresting ; but the elder 
squaws wore the air of misery and debasement. 

"The garrison is composed of a detachment from the Eoyal regiment of 
Cuba, with some black troops ; who together form a respectable force. The 
fort and bastions are built of the same material as the houses of the town, 
coquina. This marine substance is superior to stone, not. being liable to 
splinter from the effects of bombardment ; it receives and imbeds the shot* 
which adds rather than detracts from its strength and security. 

" The houses and rear of the town are intersected and covered with orange 
groves ; their golden fruit and deep green foilage, not only render the air 
agreeable, but beautify the appearance of this interesting little town, in the 
centre of which (the square) rises a large structure dedicated to the Catholic 
religion. At the upper end are the remains of a very considerable house, 
the former residence of the governor of this settlement, but now (1817), in 
a state of dilapidation and decay, from age and inattention. 

"At the Southern extremity of the town stands a larg* \ building, formerly 
a monastery of Carthusian Friars, but now occupied as a barrack for the 
troops of the garrison. At a little distance are four stacks of chimneys, the 
sole remains of a beautiful range of barracks, built during the occupancy of 
the British, from 1763 to 1783; for three years the 29th regiment was 
stationed there, and in that time they did not lose a single man. The pro- 
verbial salubrity of the climate, has obtained for St. Augustine the designa- 
tion of the Montpelier of North America ; indeed, such is the general char- 
acter of the Province of East Florida. • 

"The governor (Copinger), is about forty-five years of age, of active and 
vigorous mind, anxious to promote, by every means in his power, the pros- 
perity of the province confided to his command; his urbanity and other 
amiable qualities render him accessible to the meanest individual, and jus- 
tice is sure to follow an appeal to his decision. His military talents are well 
known, and appreciated by his sovereign ; and he holds, in addition to the 
government of East Florida, the rank of Colonel in the Eoyal Regiment of 
Cuba. ^ 



6 

• 

" The clergy consist of the padre (priest of the parish), Father Cosby, a 
native of Wexford, in Ireland ; a Franciscan friar, the chaplain to the garri- 
son, and an inferior or cure. The social qualities of the padre, and the 
general tolerance of his feelings, render him an acceptable visitor to all his 
flock. The judge, treasurer, collector, and notary, are the principal officers 
of the establishment, besides a number of those devoted solely to the military 
occupations of the garrison. The whole of this society is extremely courte- 
ous' to strangers ; they form one family, and thoso little jealousies and ani- 
mosities, so disgraceful' to our small English communities, do not sully their 
meetings of friendly chit-chat, called as in Spain, tvrtulias. The women are 
deservedly celebrated for their charms ; their lovely black eyes have a vast 
deal of expression ; their complexion a clear brunette ; much attention is 
paid to the arrangement of their hair ; at mass they are always well dressed 
in black silk basquinas (petticoats), with the little mantilla (black lace veil) 
over their heads ; the men in their military costumes ; good order and tem- 
perance are their characteristic virtues ; but the vice of gambling too often 
profanes their social haunts, from which even the fair sex are not ex«luded. 
Two days following our arrival, a ball was given by some of the inhabitants, 
to which I was invited. The elder couples opened it with minuets, succeed- 
ed by the younger couples displaying their handsome light figures in Spanish 
dances. " 

The old inhabitants still speak in terms of fond regret of the place when 
embowered in its orange groves, and the pleasantness of its old customs and 
usages. Dancing formed one of their most common amusements as it doe3 
now. The posey dance, now become obsolete, was then of almost daily oc- 
eurrence, and was introduced in the following manner : The females of the 
family erect in a room of their house a neat little arbor, dressed with pots 
and garlands of flowers, and lit up brightly with candles. This is under- 
stood by the gentlemen as an invitation to drop in and admire the beauty of 
their decorations. In the meantime, the lady who has prepared it, selects a 
partner from among her visitors, and r\ token of her preference, honors him 
with a bouquet of flowers. The gentleman who receives the bouquet be- 
comes then, for the once, king of the ball, and leads out the fair donor as 
queen of the dance ; the others take partners, and the ball is thus inaugu- 
rated, and may continue several successive evenings. \ Should the lady's 
choice fall upon an unwilling swain, which seldom happened, he could be 
excused by assuming the expenses of the entertainment. These assemblies 
were always informal, and frequented by all classes, all meeting on a level ; 
but were conducted with the utmost politeness and decorum, for which the 
Spanish character is so distinguished. 



The carnival amusements are still kept up to some extent, but with little 
of the taste and wit which formerly characterized them, and without which 
they degenerate into mere buffoonery. 

The graceful Spanish dance, so well suited in its slow and regular move- 
ments to the inhabitants of a warm climate, has always retained the prefer- 
ence with the natives of the place, who dance it with that native grace and 
elegance of movement which seem easy and natural for every one, but are 
seldom equalled by the Anglo-Saxon. 



STe AUGUSTINE EST 1843, 



William O. Bryant, the Venerable Editor of the Evening Post, 
whiting from St. Augustine in April, 1843, Says : 

"At length we emerged upon a shrubby plain, and finally came in sight 
of this oldest city of the United States, seated among its trees on a sandy 
swell of land, where it has stood for three hundred years. I was struck with 
its ancient and homely aspect, even at a distance, and could not help liken- 
ing it to pictures which I had seen of. Dutch towns, "though it wanted a wind-, 
mill or two to make the resemblance perfect. We drove into a green square, 
in the midst of which was a monument erected to commemorate the Spanish 
constitution of 1812, and thence through *thc narrow streets of the city to 
our Hotel. 

"I have called the streets narrow. In few places they are wide enough 
to allow two carriages to pass abreast. I was told that they were not orig- 
inally intended for carriages ; and that in the time when the town belonged 
to Spain, many of them were floored with an artificial stone, composed of 
shell and mortar, which in this climate takes and keeps the hardness of rock ; 
and that no other vehicle than a hand barrow was allowed to pass over them. 
Li some places you see remnants of this ancient pavement ; but for the most 
part it has been ground into dust under the wheels of the carts and carriages 
introduced by the new inhabitants. The old houses, built of a kind of stone 
which is seemingly a pure concretion of small shells, overhang the streets 
with their wooden balconies ; and the gardens between the houses are fenced 
on the side of the street with high walls of stone. Peeping over these walls 
you see branches of the pomegranate, a~d of the orange tree now fragrant 
with flowers, and rising yet higher, the leaning boughs of the fig with its 
broad, luxuriant leaves. Occasionally you pass the ruins of houses— walls of 
Btone with arches and stair-cases of the same material, which once belonged 
to stately dwellings, You meet in the streets with men of swarthy complex- 



8 



ions and foreign physiognomy, and you hear them speaking to each, other 
in a strange language. You are told that these are the remains of those 
who inhabited the country under the Spanish dominion, and that the dialect 
you have heard is that of the island of Minorca. 

"'Twelve years ago,' said an acquaintance of mine, ' when I first visited 
St. Augustine, it was a fine old Spanish town. A large proportion of the 
houses which you now see roofed like barns, were then flat roofed; they 
were all of shell rock, and these modern wooden buildings were then not 
erected. That old fort which they are now repairing, to fit it for receiving 
a garrison, was a sort of ruin, for the outworks had partly fallen, and it stood 
unoccupied by the military, a venerable monument of the Spanish dominion. 
But the orange groves were the wealth and ornament of St. Augustine, and 
their produce maintained the inhabitants in comfort. Orange trees of the 
size and height of the pear tree, often rising higher than the roofs of the 
houses, embowered the town in perpetual verdure. They stood so close in 
the groves that they excluded the sun ; and the atmosphere was at all times 
aromatic with their leaves and fruit, and in spring the fragrance of the 
flowers was almost oppressive. ' 

"The old fort of St. Mark, now called Fort Marion — a foolish change of 
name — is a noble work, frowning over the Mantazas, which flows between 
St. Augustine and the island of Anastasia ; and it is worth making a long 
journey to see. No record remains of its original construction ; but it is 
supposed to have been erected about a hundred and fifty years since, and 
the shell rock of which it is built is dark with time. We saw where it had 
been struck with cannon balls, which, instead of splitting the rock, became 
imbedded and clogged among the loosened fragments of shell. This rock 
is therefore one of the best materials for fortification in the world. We were 
taken into the ancient prisons of the fort-dungeons, one of which was dimly 
lighted by a grated window, and another entirely without light ; and by the 
flame of a torch we were shown the half obliterated inscriptions scrawled on 
the walls long ago by prisoners. But in another corner of the fort, we were 
taken to look at the secret cells, which were discovered a few years since in 
consequence of the sinking of the earth over a narrow apartment between 
them. These cells are deep under ground, vaulted over head, and without 
windows. In one of them a wopden machine was found which some sup- 
posed might have been a rack, and in the other a quantity of human bones. 
The doors of these cells had been walled up and concealed with stucco, be- 
fore the fort passed into the hands of the Americans. 

" You cannot be in St. Augustine a day without hearing some of its inhab- 
itants speak of its agreeable climate. During the sixteen days of my.resi- 



9 



dence here, the weather has certainly been as delightful as I could imagine. 
We have the temperature of early June, as June is known in New York. 
The mornings are sometimes a "little sultry . but after two or three hours a 
fresh breeze comes in from the sea, sweeping through the broad piazzas, and 
breathing in at the windows. At this season it comes laden with the frag- 
rance of the flowers of the pride of India, and sometimes of the orange tree, 
and sometimes brings the scent of roses now in bloom. The nights are grate- 
fully cool ; and I have been told by a person who has lived here many years, 
that there are very few nights in summer when you can sleep without a blanket. 

"An acquaintance of mine, an invalid, who has tried various climates, and 
has kept up a kind of running fight with death for many years, retreating 
from country to country as he pursued, declares to me that the winter cli- 
mate of St. Augustine is to be preferred to that of any part of Europe, even 
that of Sicily, and that it is better than the climate of the West Indies. He 
finds it genial and equable, at the same time that it is not enfeebling. The 
summer heats are prevented from being intense by the sea-breeze of which 
I have spoken. I have looked over the work of Dr. Forry, on the climate of 
the United States, and have been surprised to see the uniformity of climate 
which he ascribes to Key West. As appears by the observations he has col- 
lected, the seasons at that place glide into each other by the softest grada- 
tions ; and the heat never, even in midsummer, reaches that extreme which 
is felt in the higher latitudes of the American Continent. The climate of 
Florida is, in fact, an insular climate ,*J:he Atlantic on the east, and the Gulf 
of Mexico on the West, temper the airs that blow over it, making them cooler 
in summer and warmer in winter. I do not wonder, therefore, that it is so 
much the resort of invalids ; it would be more so if the softness of its atmos- 
phere, and the beauty and serenity of its seasons were more generally known. 
Nor should it be supposed that accommodations for persons in delicate health 
are wanting ; they are, in fact, becoming better with every year, as the de- 
mand for them increases. Among the acquaintances whom I have made here, 
I remember many who having come hither for the benefit of their health, are 
detained for life by the amenity of the climate. ' It seems to me,' said an 
intelligent gentreman of this class, the other day, 'as if I could not exist 
out of Florida, When I go to the North, I feel most sensibly the severe ex- 
tremes of the weather ; the climate of Charleston itself appears harsh to me.' 

"The. negroes of St. Augustine are a good looking specimen of the race, 
and have the aj)pearance of being very well treated. You rarely see a negro in 
ragged clothing; and the colored children, though slaves, are often dressed with 
great neatness. In the Catholic Church, I remarked a more agreeable, open 
and gentle physiognomy than I have been accustomed to see in that class." 



10 
EQUABILITY OF CLIMATE. 

Fuller,. an eminent authority on consumption, says in his work on the 
Lungs and Air passages : 

"Careful observation, amply corroborated by statistical records, proves in- 
contestibly that the pure air of heaven, which God has provided for us to 
breathe, and the variations of temperature to which in His all-wise provi- 
dence, He has seen fit to subject us are not so noxious or productive of ill health 
as man in his ignorance has of tent imes asserted. No climate is more variable 
than ours (England), and none certainly more healthy, as proved beyond 
dispute by the bills of mortality." 

Southgate's (U. S. Army Med. Stat., p 312) opinion is that equability can 
hardly be considered as the most vital element of climate, the highest degree 
of physical vigor being attained in strikingly variable climates, the human 
constitution being adapted to such mutations, and its powers would languish 
under the monotonous impression of a uniform temperature for a long time." 



THE ADVANTAGE OF THE SUNSHINE, 

Dr. 0. T. Williams, in his work on the climate of the South of France, 
speaking of the advantages of a Southern climate, says : 

" The chief of these is the amount of sunshine the invalid enjoys for weeks 
and even months together, when the sun rises in a cloudless sky and shines 
with a lightness and warmth surpassing that of the British summer. * * * 
Owing to this genial influence, not accompanied by any sensation of chill or 
damp, and the chemical effect of which is seen in the tanning of the skin ; 
owing to the freedom of the climate from rapid and constantly recurring 
changes of frost, rain, mist and mild weather, the invalid spends the greatest 
part of the day in the open air and scarcely knows what confinement within 
doors means. • 

"The exciting causes of his complaint being removed and the long spell 
of propitious weather enabling the full influence of the genial atmosphere to 
act on his frame, his bodily vigor gradually returns and he finds himself able 
to enjoy a fair amount of exercise and his attention is withdrawn from the 
contemplation and oftentimes the exaggeration of his own complaint. 

"To persons depressed by nervous anxiety and despondency, in whom 
brain and nerves have been overtaxed, the attraction towards external objects 
is of no little importance ; while in those who have suffered from too much 
sedentary occupation and overcrowding, the ability to be out, to imbibe, as 
it were, the sunshine, exercises the most beneficial influence. 



11 * . 

TH3S CLIMATE OF ST. AUGUSTINE. 

Although the climate of St Augustine, has been for upwards of one hun- 
dred years famed, both here and in Europe, for its health giving and health 
restoring qualities, an exact description of it, and of its action upon the 
diseased system remains yet to be "written. 

This climate is distinctively a temperate and not a tropical climate, and it 
is thoroughly fitted to the constitution of the white races. It will readily ba 
observed, that the stature and physical development of the white race 
decreases, both in the frigid and the torrid zones. His home is in the tem- 
perate zone. There they attain their finest mental, nervous and physical 
development. We claim, that nowhere in the world is the climate of the 
temperate zone so perfect in its health giving qualities as it is in St. Augus- 
tine. But first before discussing that subject, we wish to point out a few of 
the errors, which are often committed both by physicians, and invalids, in 
regard to climates suitable for the restoration of health. 

We can defend ourselves against a moderate degree of cold, by use of 
artificial heat But we, as yet, have no means of producing artificial cold. 
So, therefore, a climate which was occasionally cool, is preferable to one in 
which the heat is generally oppressive. Sick people and their doctors are 
apt to seek a tropical climate, because they desire warmth, forgetting that 
the climates such as Cuba and Nassau, are debilitating and enervating, as 
well as warm. 

The climate which they should seek, is one that is generally warm, and 
still with a sufficient degree of change, that will keep up the nervous tone of 
the system and keep the surface of the body in an active state of contraction 
and expansion. 

It is a well known fact, that the negro is provided upon the surface of his 
body with an additional aiembrane or skin, which protects him against the 
tropical heats, which are intolerable to the white. 

Although it may at first sight appear to a sick person, that a uniform, 
genial temperature is the best for him, he must bear in mind, that the ener- 
vating effects of such climate would more than counterbalance its benefits. 

The general characteristics of the climate of St. Augustine, may be sum- 
med up as follows : 

That all northerly, cool winds are dry and bracing like the air of a highland. 

It has been well ascertained, by the experiments of Prof. Tyndal, that a 
moist cool air, is more exhaustive of ^animal heat, than a eold, dry air. A 
person in Minnesota, when the Thermometer is 10 degs. suffers less with 
the cold, than one in the New England or Middle States, when it is plus 20 
degs. for this reason. 



12 

All the cold winds which visit St. Augustine, come from the direction of 
the Rocky Mountains, and partake of the dry bracing quality of that region. 
Any winds coming from the North East are tempered, and softened by the 
Gulf stream, blowing over the westerly course of that stream at Cape Hatteras.. 

All changes from warm to cold, are gradual, while the changes from cold, 
to warm are rapid. 

When a cold spell comes on, it will be observed that the Thermometer will 
fall gradually for ten or twelve hours, while in rising, it will attain its former 
point in three or four hours. 

The climate is entirely free from all malaria of every kind. 

The air is constantly in motion, the wind blows every day, and develops a 
great amount of ozone. 

The air develops nervous strength, but does not stimulate the nervous sys- 
tem. The sunshine produces strength and vigor, while the condition of air- 
prevents any debilitating effects. 

Sit in the sun, but keep your head out of it, and it will do more to restore 
your health, than all the tonics ever invented and advertised. 

Disease consists of the existence of foreign matter in the human system. 
Sickness is the operation of nervous force to rid the system of such matter ; 
Medicine benefits, only by acting as a nervous stimulant. Nature always en- 
deavors to rid the system of disease by casting it out upon the external sur- 
face, but in case her energy is not sufficient therefor, or the external surface 
is not in such a condition as to admit of it, then she endeavors to rid herself 
of it by the internal surface, or mucous membrane, and failing in that, then 
by the lungs, etc. Now, if you put the external surface in a healthy, vigorous 
condition, and build up the nervous power (not stimulate it) the internal or- 
gans will be relieved from the destructive process or burden, ehminating the 
disease from the system, but this thing is not to be done in a day or a week. 

There have been hundreds of illustrations of this rule here. A gentleman 
came here from the North in an advanced state of the consumption, who after 
being here six months, was attacked with scrofulous swellings in the neck. 
Another consumptive person is suffering with a running sore on .the ankle. 
Almost every person, who comes here, suffer more or less, from eruptions on 
the skin, sore lips, and the like. 

I Here, then, are the two great effects of this climate. A complete restora- 
tion of the vigorous, and healthy action of the external surface of the body, 
and strengthening of the vis vitce, vis nervose, or by whatever name you choose 
to call it. 

There are a large class of persons, particularly in our large cities, suffering 
from a depressed vitality, resulting from nervous excitement, overworked 



13 

brains, business cares, and the fluctuations of the prices of stocks manifesting 
itself in catarrhal affections, impaired digestions, flatulence and liver disor- 
ders, whose only salvation and restoration to vigor lies in this climate. But 
do not be alarmed, here, my friends, when you come, if you find yourselves 
here, feeling indifferent to the prices of things, and inclined to take every- 
thing easy. For that is sure proof, that 1£e work of restoration is going on. 
Neither, must you expect that the waste of strength, which you have been 
carrying on for years, in your haste to get rich, will be repaired in a few days 
or weeks. Neither must you believe, what will be constantly drummed into 
your ears from Savannah, onwards, that the climate on the St. John's Riy e ? 
is superior to that of St. Augustine. That climate is radically different from 
that of St. Augustine, and of this there can be no question. We affirm that 
it is inferior, although this may offend those who have made investments 
there. You are, however, at liberty to judge for yourself by actual trial, 

THE CLIMATE OF ST. AUGUSTINE— Continued. 

It is here proposed to give a brief account of the climate of St. Augustine, 
month by month ; contrasting it with the climate of other accessible places in 
Florida ; with a view, among other things, of enabling physicians to direct 
their patients coming to Florida aright. 

Decembeb. 

Although this is the last month of the year, it naturally comes first in thig 
account. In the early part of the month the days are bright and sunny ; the 
wind from northwest cool, dry and bracing ; the morning cool, up to nine 
o'clock ; warm in the middle of the day, then cool about an hour before sun- 
down. After that somewhat warmer. After nine p. m., the thermometer 
falls, until about four a. m. which is the coldest time. A fire is generally re- 
quired during the mornings and evenings ; but during the middle of the day 
it is far more pleasant to sit in the sun, sheltered from the wind. At times, 
a sea wind from the north east sets in, which is salt and damp, and resem- 
bles the south east August wind of. Newport and New Bedford. At other 
times, but seldom, a warm, damp wind blows from the south west ; and gen- 
erally brings the rain ; all damp winds are warm ; all cold, dry. \ 

About Christmas comes the coldest weather of the year, the wind blows 
Steadily from the north west for several days, cool and dry ; then the weather 
becomes cool for one or two days ; after which it rapidly moderates to quite 
warm weather. During this time, however, the weather is very bracing and 
invigorating. 

This month is, upon the whole, very similar to the Indian Summer of the 
North. 



u 

• During this month, the weather on St. John's river is characterise! by op- 
pressive sultriness during the day, and cool, damp nights, It is remarkable, 
that fogs arising from the Ocean do not condense until they reach that river, 
But high bluffs on the river, and pine lands, at a short distance from the river, 
-are comparatively free from this dampness. 

It may be well here to remark, that the air of St. Augustine is decidedly a 
sea-air, and that persons with whom such an air does not agree cannot live 
here, except in the pine lands to the west of the St. Sebastian river. 

Jantjaby. 

In the North we have, in the early part of this month, a thaw, the "Jan- 
uary thaw ;" so here, in this climate, the same period is characterized by warm 
weather ; after that, the winds from the north west occasionally prevail, but 
ior a considerable" part of the time the wind is from the south east ; in the 
latter part of this month are one or two white, frosts : the weather is substan- 
tially the same as in December, with the exception that the sun is warm. 
During part of the time a fire is needed in the mornings and evenings. 

Febeuaey. 

During this month the sun is warmer, but the winds are stronger ; there is 
also at times, considerable of a soft and balmy sea-breeze from the south east, 
and much of the weather described in April prevails. During the north winds 
there is a wide difference of temperature noticeable, in going from a spot in 
the sun, and out of the wind, to one out of the sun and in the wind. In the 
•city limits, where the streets are very narrow, invalids sometimes contract 
colds in taking walks. Such a difficulty would not occur, however, where the 
streets are of modern width and the houses separate. 

During the latter part of this month a cold spell is apt to occur, somewhat 
resembling the Christmas cold spell. But it is a common remark, that if it 
is very cold at Christmas, there is but little cold in February ; and vice versa. 

March. 

The early part of this month closely resembles the weather of February ; 
with the exception of a warm sun, and less of northerly and more of easterly 
and south easterly winds and April weather. 

At the latter part of this month comes the equinoctial blow. A warm, sultry, 
damp wind sets in from the south west, continues for some days and brings 
usually a plenty of rain. After that the weather clears up, and its character 
will be described in the weather of the next month. 

A PEED. 

After the clearing up of the equinoctial blow comes most delightful weather. 
There are days and weeks in which the weather is all alike. Unclouded sun- 
shine; a constant, balmy breeze from the south east, commencing about nine 



15 



or ten a. m., so delightful that many invalids have expressed it, that they de- 
sire no other occupation or pleasure than to simply sit quietly and breathe* 
Nothing short of actual experience can give any idea of this weather. The 
nights are cool and pleasant, and people seem to live in a drowsy, half dreamy 
state. A very perfection of an idler's paradise. 

May. 

May and the early part of June are practically the warmest parts of the year, 
for the reason that, although the average of thermometer is highest in July 
and August, the rains make the warmth felt less. 

In speaking of hot weather here it is necessary to make a careful distinction* 
There is never felt here, at any time of the year, such hot w eather as is expe- 
rienced in New York City ; on the banks of the Hudson ; at Saratoga and 
other northern places. Such a thing as a sun stroke is unknown here. At 
the north the heat is overpowering and oppressive, continuing day and night ;. 
you perspire while sitting still. You can bear nothing but the thinnest cloth- 
ing, The oppression and exhaustion of a northern sun is something terrible 
to think of. 

It is almost incomprehensible to a northern mind, but it is nevertheless 
true, that you cannot wear as thin clothing here as at the north. There is. 
never a night here in the hottest of the weather that you do not find it com- 
fortable sleeping under a blanket. People here wear flannels all the year 
round. 

The weather during the whole summer is as cool, and even cooler, than 
upon the south side of Long Island during the summer months. In fact, 
that climate resembles this more than any other known. 

A summer's day may thus be described ; In the morning at sunrise it is 
cool and comfortable; an hour after it becomes very warm. Our northern ex- 
perience would lead us to believe that it would be an oppressive day, but be- 
tween nine and ten a. m. a breeze springs up from the south east. A cool, 
strong and invigorating sea breeze ; while it is warm in the sun, it is not op- 
pressive. In the shade it is cool. You can always keep cool here. Here you 
never do as you do at times in the north — sit in the coolest place you can find, 
then perspire from every pore of your body. 

This breeze lasts all day. The evenings are cool. You require a blanket 
at night. Towards morning (four a. m.) it becomes still cooler, so much se 
that if you are at all sensitive to the cold, it is prudent to have an additional 
covering at hand. 

It is necessary to be thus particular in describing the summer weather ; for 
it is a well remarked fact that those who have derived the most permanent bene- 
fit from this climate are those who remain here the whole year. Bu t all nortkr 



16 



erners think that because it is warmer during the winter than at the North, it 
must be proportionally warmer in summer, and when May comes they rush off 
North, and are in all probability landed in New York in a cold rain or a snow 
storm, getting a severe cold and in many cases losing all the benefits of their 
stay here. 

June. 

The early part of this month is the same as May. During the latter part, 
the rainy, or what would more properly express it, the showery season com- 
mences. 

During this season almost every afternoon the sky is overcast, and a heavy 
shower of rain comes on. The effect of this is to cool the air, and keep the 
heat down, during what would otherwise be the hottest portion of the day. 
The nights still continue to be cool and pleasant. 

JULY. 

The same weather with an occasional dry spell continues through this 
month. There are also strong and invigorating breezes from the Ocean. 

August. 

The weather during this month is substantially the same as that of July. 
Occasionally there is a very warm morning. 

September. 

The early part of this month is like August. In the latter part a decided 
change takes place. It is a season of stiff gales, and rain .showers, from the 
South-east. The weather, particularly at night, grows cooler. The air be- 
comes more bracing and invigorating. 

October. 

This month now grows perceptibly cooler. Nights quite cool. Occasion- 
ally there are warm days. The month commences the characteristics of the 
weather of the early part of December, 

November. 

The weather is substantially the same as the early part of December, in- 
termingled with a few warm days. Considerable dry, cool wind from the 
North-west. 

A few general remarks upon the climate will now be made. 

It is a common remark that a moist air is bad for weak lungs. If by that 
is meant a moisture derived from a damp, undrained soil, it is true. But it 
is not true of a sea air. No man was ever injured by a sea voyage, south of 
Mason and Dixon's line. Neither will he be injured by living upon an ele- 
vated sand hill near the sea. Two places, five hundred feet apart, may be one 
healthy and the other unhealthy, by the difference of the soil and drainage. 

The writer of this having been made by disease extremely sensitive to at- 



17 

mospheric conditions, has observed the following difference of the atmos* 
pheric conditions in the neighborhood of St Augustine. On the sand hills 
by the ocean, the air is the same as at sea, strong, salt, and bracing, pretty 
sharp during a North-east blow which, however, does not occur more than, 
three or four days, during the winter. Delightfully refreshing and balmy 
when the wind is from the East, and South-east. It is a- singular fact, thafc 
here an East wind is a dry wind. A totally different thing from a Boston. 
East wind. 

To the west of that, and under the lee of tne sand hills, it is very warm in. 
winter. Vegetation there is many weeks in advance of thattof the city. 

On the east bank cf the river, the air is mild and pleasant, the North-west 
wind is toned down by blowing over the salt water. The warm winds of the 
South-west are toned up by the like cause. 

On the west bank of the river, which is the east side of the city, the soil is 
sandy, porous and dry, it is strong but inferior to the lands just named. 

On the east side of the St. Sebastian, the west side of the city, the houses 
interrupt the sea breeze. It is decidedly warm, and less salt, but it is coldec 
during North-west winds. 

On the west side of the St. Sebastian are elevated pine woods. They are 
sufficiently distant from the city, so that the houses there do not interfere 
with the sea air. Besides that they are fragrant with the odor of the pine, 
which is always beneficial to weak lungs. They are dry and healthy, and 
altogether the best location for those who desire a noj; too strong salt air. 

The next fact to be observed is that although the range of. the thermome- 
ter here is wide, the changes from heat to cold, are slow and gradual, while 
the change from cold to heat, are more rapid. 

As to the quality of the winds. All cold winds here are dry and bracing. 
All moist winds are warm. When the wind changes from a Southerly to a 
Northwesterly, it is equivalent to taking a journey from the sea coast to the 
mountains. The winds mostly prevailing here are from the East to the 
South, and from the North to the West. The first are delightful, soft and 
balmy, but not enervating. They have a peculiar effect of a composing and 
quieting nature, which makes one half forget, and wholly careless of the 
cares and anxieties of life. A New York broker, who spent last winter here, 
aptly expressed the feeling, when he said that he felt so comfortably lazy, 
ind so indifferent to sublunar things, that he would not take the trouble ta 
pick up a Herald from the table, and see how stocks were going. 

Of the winds from the North to the West, they are strong and bracing j 
they convey a sensation of activity, a desire for brisk exercise, a feeling of 
strength and wgor. 



18 



The winds from the North to East and from the South to the West are 
less frequent. The first is a cool salt air like the Southerly winds of the 
Northern coasts. The second is warm and damp, and generally accompanied 
by rain. The air hero with the exception of a few hours in the morning is 
constantly in motion. 

The writer of this "is not a medical man, but this much he can say, that he 
has faithfully, and truly described this climate as it is, and that it is not as 
he expected to find it, a uniform chmate. 



CONCERNING THE CLIMATE OF ST. AUGUSTINE. 

" The Summer in Florida may be said to be seven months long. The 
weather, however, is of a pleasant temperature, the nights uniformly cool, 
and sultry days of rare occurence ; indeed, so agreeable are the summers, 
there is little choice between them and the winters. The winter in Florida 
resembles . very much that season in the Middle States which is termed ' In- 
dian Summer ' — except that in Florida the sky is perfectly clear, and the at- 
mosphere more elastic. As respects health, Florida stands pre-eminent. The 
average mortality of the whole peninsula is found to be 2.06 per cent., while 
that of the other portions of the United States was 3.05 per cent." (See 
Surgeon-General Lawson's Report.) 

From the records contained in the Spanish archives at St. Augustine, we 
leam that the mean temperature of the winter months for 100 years averages 
a little over 60 deg., and of the summer months 86 deg. Fahrenheit. Con- 
stant mention is made of the daily recurring sea-breeze, which gave a delight- 
ful atmosphere for nightly rest. " Here in Florida, the many whose consti- 
tutions are feeble, or impaired by disease, can find a refuge from the inclem- 
ent winters of the Northern States. 

"For very many years St. Augustine has been known far and wide, as one 
of the most healthful locations in the world. For a hundred years her streets 
have been filled with invalids from all parts of the world. Northerners have 
long resorted to Florida, to find in her mild and genial climate a relief from 
the piercing winds and frigid temperature of the Northern and Middle States ; 
while the cool and wholesome winds of the Atlantic and Gulf have operated 
to bring annual crowds from Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas, to escape 
the blazing sun and the torrid heats of those States. Those who, from fre- 
quent visitation and repeated experiment, are best informed, all unite in 
declaring the climate of Florida to be unequalled in the world- for comfort 
and health. • 



19 



"One of the great virtues of the Florida climate is, that nearly all the raim 
falls during the productive season of the year ; and that during the winter 
months, when rains are but little required, they seldom fall. The reverse 
of this occurs in Texas, California, Oregon, and in nearly all the Mexican 
States. 

" That the peninsular climate of Florida is much more salubrious than that, 
of any other State in the Union, is clearly established by the medical statis- 
tics of the army, as well as by the last census returns. Surgeon General 
Lawson states; * Indeed, the statistics in this Bureau demonstrate the fact 
that* the diseases which result from malaria are of a much milder type in the 
peninsula of Florida than in any other State in the Union. These records 
show that the ratio of deaths to the number of Cases of remittent fever has 
been much less among the troops serving here than in any other portion of: 
the United States. In the Middle Division of the United States the propor- 
tion is one death to thirty-six cases of remittent fever ; in the Northern: 
Division, one to fifty-two ; in the Southern Division, oUe to fifty-four ; ii*. 
Texas, one in seventy-eight ; in California, one in one hundred and twenty- 
two ; in New Mexico, one in one hundred and forty-eight ; while in Florida 
it is but one in two hundred and eighty-seven. 

" That the climate is good for patients of a consumptive habit is notorious^ 
several persons during the last winter and spring from Carolina and elsewhere 
having recovered their health ; and that the air is not at any season hurtful,, 
is generally known from the circumstance of the native and foreign ladies 
walking till late in the moonlight on summer and autumn evenings, with 
only the slight coverings on their, heads of their lace veils or mantillas, and 
many even without these. Medical men have stated that dampness or dis- 
coloring of plaster, soon moulding of bread, moisture of sponge, dissolution 
of loaf sugar, and rusting of metals, are marks of bad air. Now, all these 
are marked at St. Augustine, and, notwithstanding, it is very healthy. This 
dampness is occasioned by the saline particles, which, arising from the sea, 
by no means occasion sickness." 



EXTRACT FROM A LETTER TO THE FLORIDA PRESS, 

By a Physician of St. Augustine. 

" The climate of St. Augustine is very uniform, during the whole year. A 
little cold, occasionally, is refreshing ; for it rouses one from the 'dolce far 
niente ' sensation, which is apt to creep over him, from the soft, soothing 
and insinuating effect of the climate — which is so peculiarly grateful to in- 



20 

^alids— particularly those suffering from irritating pulmonary and nerrous 
diseases. There is seldom or never any cold weather until Christmas. A 
little hoar-frost occurs about the end of November, or first of December; 
not sufficient to injure the green peas and other garden vegetables. Gen- 
erally, about Christmas, a little ice is formed, which stops the bearing of most 
vegetables, until the middle of March, when the new crop comes in. Cab- 
bages, turnips and some others are green, fresh and vigorous, during the* 
-whole winter. The warm weather commences about the middle of June, and! 
fasts till the middle of August ; and we positively aver that the heat is only 
^pressive during that period— from seven or eight o'clock, in the morning 
*mtij the sea-breeze springs up, which is never later than 10 o'clock, a. m* 
^The sun, in Augasfc, f § hot, but within doors, or in any shade, it is airy, coot 
■amd pleasant. I have traveled on foot, twelve miles, without the least fatigue. 
I)uring the whole summer, the nights are cool and delightful • I never use a. 
^mosquito-net. Showers oeeTtr* every day, during July and August ; temper- 
ing the heat. Them the Fall commences on the 1st of September. I haV& 
iiever known hot weather in September ; the wind is stiff and fresh, but 
always, cool and pleasant. Some warin, misty, foggy and damp weather pre- 
vails in October, but not always. At all other times I x3i*onounce the climate* 
charming, and this the most healthy of any other place in the Southern, 
country. Several wealthy families from the North reside here the whole 
year ; in preference to traveling. They find amusement in riding, driving,, 
sailing, fishing and sporting, Hunting excursions are frecnient in the sum- 
mer, when parties camp out for days with perfect impunity ; and these par- 
lies all natives of Northern States. A gentleman, formerly of Hudson, N. Y.* 
I believe, came here many years ago, afflicted with disease of the lungs. No 
one who now sees him, tripping over the Plaza, with the light and buoyant 
step of 35, would believe that he was the hopeless consumptive of those days. 
He has reached the age of 65 or 70 ; and, in fifteen years — it seems as if not 
one gray hair is added to his comely front. A lady from New England was 
"brought here about a year and a half ago. The army Surgeon at this post, 
at that time — Dr. Phillips, informed me that her case was hopeless, so far as 
the curative power of medicine could avail. She was constantly confined to 
her chamber, but is, at this time, perfectly convalescent ; with the bloom of 
the rose in her cheeks ; and is numbered among the most beautiful of the 
ladies of this place. Since the departure of her former medical attendant, 
she has taken, by my prescription — one dozen pills. 

A gentleman from Massachusetts, aged about 75, came here at the same 
time ; an invalid in search of health. Although a man of wealth, his fancy 
is to rise at dawn and hew wood for the cook. He then Works in his garden 



21 



ttatil called to breakfast. After breakfast, iie takes liis gun and goes, sport- 
ing ; either on foot, or in his boat; These are facts, of which I challenge a 
refutation. The census taken in October, 1870,, proved that in a population 
of 2000, the deaths, from all causes, did not equal two per month. 



S. R. AND HIS IDEAS ABOUT ST, AUGUSTINE. 

In a late number of the If. Y. Tribune, we find an article entitled "A 
Summer in Florida," signed " S. B." 

This writer speaks as one haying knowledge and authority. But his stu- 
pendous ignorance of passing and well known events, and of the history of 
Florida, deserves, at least, a passing notice at our hands ; for we fear that 
many will be misled thereby, not only to tire damage of this place, but to the 
injury of their own health and prospects of recovery. 

He says, " Unfortunately for the State, the name and prestige of St. Au- 
gustine has always absorbed East Florida," that it is merely a played out 
military post. 

It is very hard for a disinterested person having no lands for sale on the 
river, to understand how the occupation and growth of this place is unfor- 
tunate for the State. 

"We cannot for our part see why the settlement and improvement of St.. 
Augustine should not be as great an advantage to the State of Florida, as 
Jacksonville or other points On the St. John's. - 

' The truth is, that since the war, everything has been done that could be 
done by writers and newspaper correspondents, to induce invalids and others 
to locate upon the St. John's Biver. Every traveler and invalid from Savan- 
nah onwards has been beset by boatmen, and hotel runners, to go up that, 
as they represented, paradise of rivers. So long as they have confined them- 
selves to the praise, of the river, we have been silent. But when it comes to 
falsifying the record of this place, it becomes our duty to speak, and to s^eak 
plainly. 

St. Augustine's reputation for health is based upon the records of thd 
Spanish Government, for hundreds of years, upon the fact that the large 
Spanish settlements at Picolata, at other places upon the St. John's Biver,. 
and other interior places of Florida, have long since disappeared from the 
face of the country, because St. Augustine was preferred, on account of its 
climate. Upon the records of the British army during its occupation of this 
country. Upon the records of our armies during the Indian wars. 

Owing to persistent puffing, the tide of travel for the past few years has 
been chiefly up the St. John's Biver. But people are rapidly learning by 



22 

experience, thai St. Augustine is the place of all others in Florida for health 
restoring qualities. 

S. E. says of St. Augustine. " It is so open to the full force of all Easterly 
winds of the Atlantic, that invalids have found a winter residence there not 
uncomfortable, but deleterious." 

This sentence is very unfair. Among the people of the North East, the 
name ."Easterly wind " means a wind that bears death on its wings. It ia 
for the invalid the most terrible of all winds. 

S. R. leaves his readers to believe that an Easterly wind here is of the same 
quality. Now, that is not-true. An Easterly wind here is the equivalent to 
the South Easterly August winds of Long Branch and Long Island. The 
most injurious winds we have here, are those that blow from the direction 
of Jacksonville. 

As to the assertion that the winter climate of St. Augustine is injurious, 
this is a complete answer. 

A New York physician of more than ordinary ability, came to Elorida some 
years agp in an advanced stage of consumption He located on the St. John's 
Biver. A few years ago he removed to St. Augustine, and is now living here, 
and is doing as well as an incurable man can do. 

Here is a doctor taking his own physic. He ought to be preferred to a 
newspaper correspondent, who has been shown to be not above impeachment* 



THE ERRORS OF INVALIDS. 

Me. Editor — A great deal has been written on the climate of St. Augus- 
tine, its adaptation to pulmonary and other complaints incident to Northern 
latitudes ; its advantages as a resort for invalids, etc., but there has, as yet, 
been no scheme set on foot to enable invalids to avail themselves of these 
advantages. 'Tis true we have hotels and boarding-houses in abundance, 
and admirably kept. But invalids require something besides sumptuous food 
and well furnished chambers. They require diversion of mind — something 
to enable them to overcome the tedium of doing nothing but sitting down, 
day after day, and gazing at the same objects, or strolling about ths streets, 
to while away time ; wondering at the contrast between the dilapidated houses 
of a Southern city, with its poverty-stricken inhabitants, and the modern 
palaces that spring up everywhere over the flourishing north, and the wealth 
and magnificence of their lordly owners. Erom these reflections they turn 
to themselves and bewail their own sad fate. The climate they acknowledge 
to be delightful, the face of nature is lovely to behold, but what attractions 
has the place for them ? — they have no interest here. 



23 



Now this is human nature ; and the more enfeebled any one is from bodily 
suffering, the more morbidly sensitive become the feelings. The sick man 
has nothing to do but to think over his own case, or compare notes with his 
fellow sufferers. The same coughing of his companion in affliction grates on 
his ears and nerves every day. He becomes dissatisfied, peevish, despond- 
ent—finally disgusted — and leaves, after expending the last cent which he 
has sacrificed so much to obtain. 

Now reverse the scene. Suppose, instead of a crowded, noisy hotel, the 
invalid selects a little secluded cottage — such as those projected at Ravens- 
wood and Toroville. Perhaps his wife attends him, or he is a bachelor. He 
pays a trifle for four comfortable rooms, hires a nice, respectable old colored 
lady, bred in the old school of gentility, for from $6 to $8 per month, to 
cook, wash, etc. She goes to market and, for 5 cents, buys a string of the 
nicest fish, or for 10 cents, brings home as much beef as the whole family can 
consume in one day, and, at a very trifling addition of expense, all the vege- 
tables needed. The meals are fully equal to those furnished in the best 
hotels, the expense as nothing, in comparison. Our invalid strolls out, en- 
joying with rapture the fragrant odor of the pines." He is delighted with 
the merry notes of the birds. He admires his neighbor's stock, as sleek and 
beautiful, they low about the woods. He sees the calves gambolling like 
deer ; he hears the lambs bleat, and the fat little pigs grunt and squeak as 
they trot about the woods. He sees flocks of domestic poultry feeding on 
pine-mast and other pasture which these woods furnish in profusion. He 
begins to think : "why may not I also have my stock, my poultry, my gar- 
den, to divert and interest me ?" A new vision springs before his delighted 
fancy. He sees in his imagination, his garden flourishing with vegetables, 
or redolent with lovely flowers, he hears the voice of his wife among the 
chickens and young poultry — he sees? his calves and lambs feeding on the 
green turf, he hears the sound of the churn, as the old lady sits under some 
shady tree and sings " Jerusalem is a mournin'." Visions of buttermilk and 
other delights rush before his eyes— he forgets his complaints — he has taken 
his resolve. 

Now I ask, Mr. Editor, if all this is visionary ? No, a few hundred dollars 
will buy a man a cottage in these settlements ; and in an inconceivably short 
space of time, he will find himself surrounded with every comfort — which he 
can raise himself, or buy for a trifle. The city is accessible in a half hour's 
walk ; or a little sail boat will in a short time convey the lounger in its stem 
down the St. Sebastian into the Bay, where he can sail or fish and return 
with his domestic supplies. 

This is the life for an invalid, and the secret of those who have so wonder- 



24 



fully recovered here lies in the fact that they have adopted 311st such a mode 
of life. But the difficulty that has heretofore existed has been, that only 
considerable tracts of land could be purchased, at an outlay that but few 
could afford. The settlements of Bavenswood and Toroville entirely obvi- 
ate this difficulty ; for any one can purchase from an acre to £ of an acre, 
and build a residence of any magnitude. I have said this much, as the 
scheme of forming such a settlement accords exactly with my views as a prac- 
titioner of medicine here, who has seen the disadvantages under which inva- 
lids suffer, in hotels and other places, and whose advice has frequently been, 
to remove to farm houses in the vicinity. 

• At another time I propose to speak more particularly of the advantages of 
this location ; of its high and dry situation, its pure water, and other recom- 
mendations, as a resort for invalids, especially in the winter season. 

A Medical Practitioner op St. Augustine. 



DESIGNS FOR HOUSES. 

DESIGN NO. 1. 

Same as Design No. 3, But Without Piazza and Kitchen. 

This house is 15 feet square, 2 stories high ; lower story 8 feet, upper 7£ 
feet; Siding up and down with batten, Gable roof, covered with boards, 
Edges plowed and battened. Frame — much in the usual manner, 1 Door, 
3X6 ; 4 Windows, 3X3, slide inside. Single-flue chimney— fireplace below. 
No lath or plaster inside. Cost with lumber at $20 per M, $150. 00. Cov- 
ered with Felt Eoofing, $15.00 additional. 

This is, as will be seen from the description, an unfinished house. It is 
intended for the benefit of those who would not be able to finish the house 
at once, but who might desire, at their leisure, to add the kitchen and piazza, 
shown in designs 2 and 3, buying their lumber cheaply and having the work 
done by day, doing part themselves. 

DESIGN NO. 2. 
See Engraving op Design No. 3. 

This is the same as No. 1, with the following addition. 

It has a kitchen 15 feet square, 1 story high, with 2 dooss, one inside and 
one outside ; 1 window 3X3. A piazza in front of the main building 6 feet 
wide and 2 stories high, a door opening on upper piazza. There is no roof 
to the upper piazza, but it is so arranged that it may be covered by an awn- 



25 



ing, (see design.) The whole is painted inside and out with a cheap paint 
and sanded. Cost, with lumber at $20 per M. $275.00. Additional for Felt 
Hoofing, $20.00. 

DESIGN NO. 3. 




r 



L 



1 



Scale 1-16 of an inch to a foot. 

This" is the same as design No. 2, except a sash door opening upon the 
upper piazza, and one additional window in the kitchen below. The two 
front windows on the lower story have each two sashes. The main house has 
all panel doors. Lathed and plastered inside, except kitchen. Painted in- 
side with White Lead, and outside same as No. 2. Cost, with lumber at 
$20 per M. $100.00. Felt Roofing $20.00 additional. Plastering board, 
$23.00 less. 

DESIGN NO. 4. 

The same as design No. 6, but without the piazza and kitchen. House, 
20X25 feet, two stories high ; lower story, 9 feet, upper, 8 feet; built in the 
same manner as design No. 1, and the same remarks apply to it. Cost, with 
lumber at $20 per M. $600.00. Pelt Roofing, $30.00 additional. 



DESIGN NO. 5. 

See Engbaving oe Design No. 6. 

This is the same as No. 4, with the additions thereto that we made in de- 
sign No. 2 to No. 1. Cost, with lumber at $20 per M. $750.00. Pelt Roof- 
ing, $10.00 additional 



26 
DESIGN NO. 6. 





] FT 1 



■ ii w* m 



First Story. Second Story. 

Scale 1-16 of an inch to the foot 

This is the same size as Design No. 5, and is built in the same manner as 
Design No. 3, with the addition of Venetian blinds to the windows. Cost, 
with lumber at $20 perM. $850.00. Felt Hoofing $40.00 additional. Plas- 
tering board, $7400 less. 



27 



DESIGN NO. 7. 





Seal* 1-32 of an inch to the foot. 



House, 30X34 feet, kitchen 15X15 ; 2 stories high, lower story 9 feet, up- 
per 8. Piazza in front and on one side, ten feet wide. Piazza to be covered 
the same as Design No. 2. Boarded up and down, painted as Design No. 2, 
shingle roof, lathed and plastered inside, panel doors, Venetian blinds, plain 
finish without mouldings, inside wood work stained, oiled and varnished. 
Cost, with lumber at $20 per M. $1250.00. Pelt Hoofing, $25.00 less. Plas- 
tering board, $145.00 less. 



28 



DESIGN NO. 8. 

This is the same as No. 7, but -with horizontal boarding, planed and 
painted with White Lead ; everything in the best style, with mouldings, and 
ornamented on the outside, Marbleized Slate mantels. Cost, with lumber 
at $20 per M. $2000.00. 

The prices above quoted were estimated by Mr. B. F. Stephens, a practi- 
cal builder from Maine, now residing in St. Augustine, and are intended to 
simply show the approximate cost of building here. 



SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING- THE MANAGE- 
MENT OF GARDENS. 

The light soil of these lands will make excellent gardens, yielding large 
profit if wisely managed, although any attempt to cultivate the same by the 
hundred acres might prove a failure. 

"A little farm well tilled" 

is a necessary element of success here. The ideas here set forth are drawn 
from conversations with men residing here who have been successful, and 
from experienced Horticulturists from the North. At the North the art of 
the farmer lies in keeping the land warm. Here, the rule is reversed, for 
here you must seek to keep the land cool. A gentleman here having a rose 
bush planted in sandy land during the summer, examined it and found that 
the root was fairly burnt to the depth of about nine inches below the surface. 

IRRIGATION. 

This is a splendid thing in this country ; water is reached by shallow dig- 
ging. Then by erecting a cheap wind mill, water is easily raised into a hogs- 
head placed about a foot above the level of the ground, and then with a rub- 
ber hose irrigation may be had without labor. 

It is asserted in Pardee, on the Strawberry, that by irrigation and a Sandy 
soil, strawberries may be made to produce a Crop every month in the year' 
except December and January. 

MANURES. 

First. Cover the ground with marsh muck, which is easily obtained, about 
one quarter of an inch thick. 

Second. Incorporate into the soil all sea weed, grass, and other like vege- 
table matter possible. 

Third. Avoid all heating manures (except for water melons and the like). 



29 

BUeh as guano, fresh stable manure, and others of that class. 

Fourth. Build a pig pen, put in as much dried marsh muck as possible,, 
also put the same in your hen house, also mix in the same all night soil* 
house slops and the like. Use the compost on the land from time to time. 

Use aU the fish you can get but do not, as one ambitious man did, put 
about Wo hundred around a single orange tree ; two to every square foot 
■will last the land for five years. 

HOT HOUSE. 

Build a high, light board fence all around, on one or more sides place a 
line of boards about three feet high, and about six or eight feet from the 
fence. Get some cheap damaged cotton cloth, (it ought, if bought in large 
quantities, to be got for about three cents a yard,) oil and varnish ii Fasten?. 
it to the fence high up as possible and extend it down to the boards. This 
is recommended by an experienced gardener as being cheap and far superior 
to glass in this country. This hot house may be warmed sufficiently for this 
country by connecting it with the kitchen and there keeping a wood fire up 
all night. In the border so made, hot house grapes, strawberries, pine, 
apples, dwarf bananas, and other tropical fruits may be planted. 

The growth of these things must, however, be detained if possible, or so> 
hastened as to bring them in market while the visitors from the North are 
here, that is in February, March and April. Strawberries would bring $2.00 
per quart here, during these months, until the supply exceeded the demand. 

Most of the Northern vegetables grow here during the winter months with- 
out protection. 

OKANGES. 

Plant some stumps, costing one dollar each, about three inches in diame- 
ter, fifteen feet apart each way and bud them. Or sweet seedlings four years 
old. A half acre of oranges in full bearing will readily produce an annual 
crop, which at the present prices would be worth $1000. The above trees 
would be from five to ten years coming into full bearing. 

OTHER FRUITS. 

Plant one sour orange, one lemon, one fig, one pomegranate, one olive.- 
Appricots, Nectarines and Peaches succeed well ; any number may be planted- 
Plums will also do well. Apples, Pears, Quinces and Cherries mayloe tried, 
but their success is doubtful. Blackberries are a sure crop, ripening in the 
month of May. 

VEGETABLES. 

Toiiiatoes, Cucumbers, Melons, Celery, Peas, Beans, Cabbages, Cauli- 
flower, Turnips, Beets, Lettuce, Radishes, Asparagus, in fact every garden 
vegetable does well. 



30 



COST OF XIVING. 

The following list has been furnished by the leading dealers here in the 
respective articles. 



Flour, per bbL 
Fork " 

Bacon, per lb 
Sugar, Cof. O. per lb 

" Brown " 

" Crushed 
Coffee, Rio " 
Java " 
Pepper, whole " 

" ground 
Pickles, 1 gal. jars 

Corn Meal, per bushel 
Hams, covered, per lb 

" naked " " 
Shoulders, smoked, per lb 
Sides, dry salted " " 
Cheese, " " 

Milk, condensed, per can 
Apples, dried, per lb 
Lard, " " 

Corn, per 2 bushel sack 
Pickled Salmon, 
Irish Potatoes, per bbl 
Sweet " " bus. 

Tea, per lb 
Soap, Babbitt's 

" Yellow 
Peaches, 2$ lb cans 
Homminy, per ft) 
Soda, baking, per ft) 

" washing " " 
Starch " " 

Codfish, » " 

Butter, " ** 

Vinegar, per gallon 
Syrup, " « 
Molasses " " 



$ 9.00 to $10.00 

20.00 " 23.00 

20 

18 

m 

18 

20 to 25 

30 to 40 

50 

60 

1.25 

75 

1.60 to 2.06 

20 to 25 

15 to 20 

14" 18 

15 " 20 

20 " 25 

40 

15 

20 " 25 

3.00 to 3.25 

25 

4.00 

1.00 to 1.25 

75 " 1.50 

12* 

10 

40 

5 

20 

10 

12* to 15 

10 

40 to 60 

60 to 1.00 

75" 1.50 

60 " 1.00 



Hecker's self-raising flour ) 
6 ft) packages. ) 

Bice, per lb 

Peaches, dried, per lb 

Brooms, each • 

Pepper Sauces, 

Ketchup, 

Salt, per qt. 

Candles, per ft) 

Kerosene, per qt. 

Wheaten Grits, per ft) 

Fish, per ft) 

Oysters and Clams, per bush. 

Beef, choice pieces, per ft) 

" ordinary and com- ) 
mon, per ft) J 

Vension, per ft) 

Ducks, per pair 

Game Birds, each 

Mutton, per ft) 

Pork, " " 

Wild Turkey, each 

Veal, per ft) 

Fuel, hard wood, per cord 

" pitch pine, " " 

Eggs, per dozen 

Chickens, each, 

Bear meat, per ft) 

Green Turtle, " 

Turtle Eggs, per dozen, 

DRY GOODS. 
Shirtings, brown 4-4, per yd, 12 to 20 

" bleached 

Sheetings, brown 9-8 

" bleached 

Cotton flannel 
Ticking 
Prints 



40 

10 

30 to 40 

25 " 40 

25 

25 " 40 

5 

20 " 35 

15 

5 

2to3 

50 

12 

8 to 10 

7 " 10 
50 
10 

20 

8 to. 15 
1.25 to 4.00 

8 tol$ 

$5 to $6 
$7 " $8 
30" 
30 " 
8" 



20 



60 
75 
10 
10 
25 



12 " 25 
30 " 45 
35 " 50 
15 " 25 
15 " 30 
8 " 12* 



31 



Monseline de Laines ' • 


" 18 " 50 


Socks, " M 


15" 5® 


Crash " 


» 10 " 20 


Shawls, each 


2.75 to 9.00 


Linen " 


" 60 " 1.25 


Caseimere, per yard 


1.25 " 2.25 


Satinets " 


" 50 " 80 


Broad Cloth " 


3.50 " 8.00 


Jeans, Cotton " 


" 20 " 50 


Flannel " " 


25 to 80 


Stockings, per pair 


2*0 " 35 







HOW TO GET TO ST. AUGUSTINE. 

Via Charleston — "New York and Charleston Steamship Line," — Thence 
by Rail to Savannah. 

Yia Savannah — "Murray's Line. "—"Atlantic Coast Mail Steamship Co. 's 
Line," — "Empire Line," and "Black Star Line." Thence* to Jacksonville 
and Tocoi by Steamers "Lizzie Baker" and " Nick King" — inside route, or 
"Dictator" and "City Point," outside route. From Tocoi to St. Augustine 
by Rail. 

Yia Fernandina — "Florida and Gulf Steamship Line." — Thence Via Jack- 
sonville and Tocoi. 

By Rail from New York. — Via "Atlantic Coast Line" — to Charleston. 
Thence by Savannah and Charleston Railroad to Savannah ; or, from Rich- 
mond — Via "Upper Route" — to Savannah. Thence by "Atlantic and Gulf 
Railroad " to Jacksonville. 

From Boston, Philadelph : a and Baltimore, Steamers also run to Savannah 



TOROVIXXE. 

Owing to the small amount of property for sale at economical prices within 
the limits of the^ City of St. Augustine and the complication of the title to 
land there, it is proposed to build up just outside the City limits, two settle- 
ments known by the above names. 

Ravenswood is situated on the west bank of the St. Sebastian River. It is 
a piney woods tract, slightly elevated above the level of the city. Here the 
sea breeze is toned down by its distance from the ocean. It is very conven- 
ient to the depot of the St. John's Railway, and is connected with the City 
by a substantial bridge across the River St. Sebastian. Here the invalid may 
enjoy all the luxuries of city and country life combined. The air is fragrant 
with the odor of the pine, which is always beneficial to weak lungs. On 
these premises is to be found a sulphur spring, the merits of which have not 
yet been fully tested. The few, however, who have availed themselves of its 
healthful waters have done so with success. 

Toroville is situated in opposite direction and is directly upon the ocean. 
The beach affords a magnificent drive northward for about 40 miles to the 
mouth of the St. John's River. The gently sloping beach of fine sand, free 
from shells or stones, affords an opportunity for surf bathing not equaled 
anywhere on the Atlantic Coast. To the west of the beach and under the 
Ice of the sand hills it is always mild in the cold weather. The air is mild 



32 



and pleasant, the northwest wind being toned down by blowing over the salt 
water, while the southwest is toned up by the like cause. For nervous dis- 
eases it would probably prove excellent. Living there, one has all the advan- 
' tages of a sea voyage with none of its discomforts. 

The annexed map shows the location of these places more fully. 



TERMS OF SALE Of 1 LOTS AT RAVEtfSWOOD 



200 lots at Ravenswood and 20 lots at Toroville are offered for sale at 
merely nominal prices, but subject to the conditions. It is necessary to im- 
pose these conditions in order to prevent speculators from hindering the 
growth and improvement of the places, by seizing upon the- most available 
lots and holding them unimproved with a view~to unfair gain to themselves 
"by the increased value of the property through the improvements made by 
others. A trick which has ruined many a place which would have otherwise 
been to-day growing and prosperous. 

They are offered for sale to Northern parties only, at the price of $65 each. 
33ach lot being fifty feet front by one hundred and fifty feet deep. 

No more than four lots at Bavenswood and one at Toroville will be sold 
to any one person. 

The purchaser is to pay $15 down on each lot, the same being the expense 
of preparing the necessary papers, stamps, etc. 

The deed so made is to be delivered to the County Clerk of St. John's 
County, Florida, under the following agreement of escrow. 

That in -case the purchaser shall within months thereafter, erect 

upon the said lots a house costing $500 or upwards, and pay to the seller 
fifty dollars, the balance of said purchase money, then the said Clerk is to 
deliver such deed to the purchaser, and at his request and expense to record 
the same. But in case it shall appear to said Clerk, either by the affidavit 
of said seller or by a view of the said premises, that said purchaser has failed 
so to do, then such deed is to be re-delivered to said seller, and become void 
and of no effect, and the $JL5 paid to be forfeited to the seller. Such agree- 
ment is to be executed in duplicate by both parties, one part to be retained 
by the seller, and the other to be delivered to the purchaser. 

When the said 220 lots are all sold, an equal number or more will be offered 
on the same terms, but for the price of $125 each, $25 down and $100 on 
the delivery of the deed. JOHN F. WHITNEY, 

JAMES WHEELER. 



h jp p jp yvt / ]s[>^ 



lis 



Our Cod-Liver Oil is warranted pure Newfoundland Oil. It has stood th 
test of twenty years' experience, and can be relied on in every particular. It 
superiority over that prepared on our own sea-shore is shown by the numer 
ous cures performed by it when the inferior oils have been tried without ef 
feet. We make no claim to any secret mode of concentration or cold press 
ing, but warrant it pure 01. M>rrhua of the U. S. P., prepared with scientifi 
care; and it will be found equal, if not superior, to any in the Market, eithe 
domestic, Norway, or Newfoundland. 

THE MOST PEEFECT IEON TONIC, 

H e g ; e m a n 5 s F e r r a t e d Elixir of B a r k 

Or Elixir of Calisaya Baek with Pyrophosphate of Iron. 

The Ferrated Elixir of Bark is a pleasant cordial, possessing the vain 
able properties of Calisaya Bark deprived of its tannin and coloring mattei 
and contains eight grains of the Pyrophosphate of Ir n in each fluid ounce 
and in all cases where a mild and efficacious iron tonic is desired will b 
found a most valuable preparation, As a preventive to fever and ague, an 
as a tonic for patients recovering from fever or other sickness, it can not bt 
surpassed. 

Directions. — For an adult, a dessert-spoonful may be taken three times 
day, before meals. Children in proportion to their age. 

HEGEMAFS 

Tolti and I/ivertvort Expectorant. 

FOE COUGHS, COLDS, BEONCHITIS, &c. 

This elegant preparation is composed of Tolu, Liverwort, Bloodroot, an* 
other ingredients that have proved most efficacious in affections of the Throa 
and Lungs, and will be found an excellent remedy for Coughs, Colds, Sor 
Throat, &c, and even in the advanced stages of Consumption will affor< 
great relief. The ingredients are known and prescribed by the most emi 
nent physicians, and are similar to those in our Liverwort Paste, which ha 
been used with success during the past twenty years. 

HEGEMAN'S CAMPHOR ICE WITH GLYCERINE 

Cures Chapped Hands and Face, Sore Lips, &c. at once. Sent by mail fo 
25 cents. 

• All the above preparations are sold by Druggists and Storekeepers througl 
out the Country. 



E. & H. T. ANTHONY & CO, 

591 JP^OADWAY; JNtew JO^Kj 
(Opposite Meteopolitan Hotel), 



Importers, Publishers, an d Jobbers of 






SITE 



illfe 



Manufacturers, Importers, and Dealers in 






Jttlfr MM\ WWi IKS 



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Manufacturers and Importers of 



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Importers of 



G-raphoscopes Megaletho scopes, 



AND SUITABLE VIEWS. 



PHOTO-LANTERN SLIDES A SPECIALITY. 



The Trade are invited to examine our stock, 
which will always be found satisfactory in price. 



THE 8A3PH HffiPOSOT € 



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Occupying the entire First Floob of the 

I lillilli, 



Absolutely Fire-Proof, 

140, 142 &, 146 BROADWAY, 

COR. LIBERTY STREET, 

Entrance, 140 Broadway. 

The First Established in the World. 

Chartered 1861, 



FOR THE 



#i Wals&Me 



Govt. Bonds and other Securities, Plate, Jewelry, 

Wills, or any Valuable Papers, 

UNDEB GUAKANTEE, 

(at $1 for 81,000 of Bonds for a year), 

AND THE 

RENTING OF SAFES 

(Renter exclusively holding the key), 

IN ITS 

FIRE AND BURGLAR-PROOF VAULTS, 

(At from $15 to $200 for a year, or for any shorter time at special rates). 

FBANCIS H..JENKS, 
A. D. HOPE, Vice-President. President. 

FBEDEEICK FOSTEB, Secretary. 

OPEN FROM 9 TO 4. 

Deposits from a distance can be made through responsible Express Co's. 

Coupons and Interest collected, if so ordered, and remitted by mail in a 
check to owner's order. Coupons cashed at the OSSce when desired. 

Plate, &c, sent for on request. 

BOOMS FOB LADIES, 

With every convenience, separate desks. &c, are provided. 

The Public are invited to visit the premises. 

Circulars mailed to any address. 



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MFMJ 



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IS PRONOUNCED BY THE 

First Musicians in this city and 
Elsewhere, 

AND BY THE 

Leading Papers in the States, 



TO BE THE 



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r(Or: 



They are used by the Conservatories of Music 
of New Yorli and BrooMyn, and all the high 
musical schools in the country f because of their 

Immense Power, Sweetness, Bril*" 
i.ncv and 



and Great Durability. 

WAREROOMS: 
omer SIXTEENTH STREET and FIFTH Are, 

New York. 



"two to four years, when it requires 
"from four to six for the seedling to 
"bear. A grove of seedling trees fif- 
teen years old, should average 1,500 
"to 2,000 oranges to each tree, and 
"these sell readily from one arid a 
"half to two cents each, purchaser 
"paying for picking and packing. — 
"This would give from twenty two 
"and a half to forty dollars per tree 
"per annum. I have seen trees said 
"to have been one hundred years old 
"tbat yielded annually from 7,000 to 
"10,000 marketable oranges. Can the 
"same space, be made to give a great- 
"er return in money value for the 
"same outlay of capital and labor ? 

Another says : 

"Previous to 1835, St. Augustine 
"produced annually, from 2,000,000 
"to 2,5000,000, oranges which were 
"equal in bulk to about 15,000 barrels. 
"They usually brought from $1 to $3 
"por hundred or about $3 per barrel, 
"producing in the aggregate a little 
"short of $50,000 per annum. Du- 
"ring the orange season, the port of 
"St. Augustine, formerly presented 
"quite a commercial aspect, there be- 
"ing frequently from fifteen to twen- 
"ty vessels in it at a time, loading 
"with fruit. A person who was the 
"owner of 100 standard trees, could 
"safely rely on a yearly income aris- 
ing therefrom of $2000, sometimes 
"$3000 and even $4000. In 1829 Mr. 
"A. Alvarez, gathered from a single 
"tree, 6,500 oranges. But ordinarily 
"each tree, produces about 2,000 fuits. 

In this neighborhood, the upland is 
well known to be of a poor qality, but 
many of the low ponds called bay- 



galls or cypress swamps, whic 
been protected for years from 
jurious effects of burning over 
water in them, are well suited 
culture of oranges if properly d: 

The persons for whom this 
ciation are designed, is not tho 
expect to make a fortune by 
culture, but only those who dei 
small grove for their own use. 

The lands of this As«ociati< 
sist of about fifty or sixty a( 
lowland, which when drained a 
adapted to the culture of orang 
of an equal amount of hig 
bounding on the same, well a 
for building purposes. 

They are located on thewesl 
City of St. Augustine, the ce 
the tract being one and one ha 
from the post office in the ce 
the city. 

These lands being so locate( 
ably near the City, their vali 
increase very rapidly, as soon 
provements are commenced t 
There is also in this neighh 
within a quarter of a mile 
land of this Association a verj 
ble spring of mineral watei 
quality of this spring ha3 been 
ughly tested, during the pas 
both by analysis and by aetui 
and has proved very valuable 
large class of deseases in wh 
salts of iron are considered a e 
The erection of a large hotel 
place is now under considerate 

The value of these lands so i 
improvements are placed there 
be seen by the following st* 
of actual sales of lot; 



St. Augustine, within ][one and half 
miles of this land. 

A lot on the Bay about 60 by 80 ft. 
was sold last year for $2,000, no im- 
provements thereon. 

A lot at the corner of the Plaza, and 
Charlotte street, about 60 by 40 feet, 
was sold at public auction two years 
ago for $4,000. Building, worth $300. 
A lot on St. George st:, 70 ft. by 270, 
no improvements, sold 2 years ago 
for $4,000. 

A lot in St. George St., corner of 
Cuna sold at public auction for $1,500. 
Building worth about $250. 

An orange grove of less than one 
half acre sold two years ago for $2,- 
500, no buildings, except a small hut 
about 10 by 12 ft. which cost about 
$100. 

$6,000, was offered for an orange 
grove in Marine St., with a small 
house, worth ab >ut $400, and the of- 
fer was refused. 

The owner of the premises adjoin- 
ing these, but nearer the railroad de- 
mands $100, and upwards for lots of 
less than half acre each, and has ef- 
fected salesjat those prices. 

A lot on Charlotte st., running 
through to Bay about 70 feet wide 
by 150 feet deep was so d about five 
years ago for $3,000. $6,000 has 
since been offered for the same, and 
refused. The building is worth about 
$600. 

A small farm near these premises, 
but on the other s"de of the Railroad, 
of about 30 acres with no buildings 
of any value sold within the past 
year for $3000. 

It is proposed to drain these lands 
by cutting a canal from one half to 
three quarters of a mile in length to 
the River St. Sebastian, and putting 
ditches through the whole tract. To 
fence in the whole tract with a strong 
and substantial fence. To lay out a 
road around the same. To lay out 
thereon fifty lois,each containing one 
hundred feet front, by three hundred 



in depth. To plant on each lot twen- 
ty-six sweet seedling orange trees. 
Four sweet trees, three years old. 
Two sour orange trees. Three fig 
trees. Two pomegrante trees. Two 
grape vines. Two peach frees, and 
such' cedar hedges as may be neces- 
sary for protection. 

After taking care of these 'places 
for four years, they are to be handed 
over to the subscribers, the party first 
subscribing to have the first choice, 
the second, the next, and so on, til 1 , 
all the lots are taken, but the pur- 
chaser may take possession of the 
land at once, on paying the i rice 
herein named, as the price of the 
land. 

In order to carry out this scheme, 
it will be necessary for the stock- 
holders to pay the sum of one hun- 
dred and fifty dollars on demand, 
after the whole fifty lots have 
been subscribed for, and twenty-five 
dollars per annum for four years 
thereafter, and one hundred dollars 
as the price of the land at the end of 
that time, making in al the sum o*' 
$350. 

The cost of making such improve- 
ment* of any of the lands outside of 
this Association, would be about as 
follows, at low figures. 
Cost of and, say, $100,00 

Draining and ditching, 100,00 

Fencing. 100,00 

Temporary house, 150,00 

Trees and planting, 150,00 

Hire of a man for 4 years, for 

part of his time, sa}^, 400,00 

$1000,00 
The value of these lands when so 
improved, will be about as follows : 
At the end of 4 years, $1000,00 

At the end of 15 years, 3000,00 

Persons desiring to subscribe to 
this Association, may do so, by call- 
ing on or addressing the subscriber, at 
the office of this paper, on Charlotte 
near St. Hypolita Street. 

John F. Whitney, 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




